The Penitent

The Penitent

Catocala illecta
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)

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The Magdalen Underwing moth has a wingspan of approximately 2.5 to 2.75 inches. The forewing is uniformly gray with fine black antemedial and postmedial lines. The reniform spot is brownish. The hindwing is golden yellow with black bands. The inner black band does not reach the inner margin. The larva has distinctive fine black and white rings with orange spots. The head is gray with black lines.

 

The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. It has been photographed once at Fontenelle Forest in mid-June 2016. It occurs from southern Ontario and Ohio to South Carolina west to eastern Kansas and Texas. It is rare in the East and more common toward the western limits of the range.

 

The food plants are Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), Black Locust (Robinia pseudo acacia) and Leadplant (Amorpha canescens).

 

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